The Amazing Sony A1/A7/A9/APS-C & Anything else welcome Mega Thread!

[srhmoto]

Had the opportunity to put a few more frames through the Samyang 35mm f1.4, 55mm f1.4 and 135mm f1.8 lenses I recently acquired. Mainly family stuff, so unfortunately nothing I can really share here picture wise, but I’m really happy with all 3 lenses.

The 135mm f1.8 is every bit as good wide open as all the reviews I read / watched said it would be. It also managed to keep up with my son riding straight towards me on his mountain bike, although I’m yet to be fully convinced it would do that consistently or how it would handle fast erratically moving targets.

The 50mm f1.4 has some lovely colours and rendering and is tack sharp in the centre of the frame wide open. It does get softer though as you move away from the centre with it wide open, but I knew that was the case from the reviews I’d read.

The 35mm f1.4 is the most solid feeling of all 3 of the lenses from a build perspective, but that doesn’t mean the other two aren’t well built. Again, wide open sharpness and colours / rendering are spot on.

I did think long and hard about whether to go with Samyang for these focal lengths, but so far I’m extremely happy that I did.

Cheers,

Simon.

 

[mav]

Lovely shots there Mav, what camera and lens combo?


Thanks Kieran, I'll take a look and see if I can get something to match the camouflage on the lens.

Thanks James It was sony. 7iv. and Sony. 200-600

 

[James J]

Not sure how well this will show on here as TP tends to soften images but here goes.

100-400mm left vs 100-400mm with 1.4TC right

100-400mm vs 100-400mm 1.4tc by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

1:1 crops of the above images

100-400mm vs 100-400mm 1.4tc 100% crop by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

100-400mm enlarged 1.4x in gigapixel left vs 100-400mm with 1.4x TC right

Gigapixel vs 1.4x TC by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

100-400mm enlarged 1.4x in gigapixel left vs 100-400mm with 1.4x TC sharpened with topaz sharpen right

Gigapixel vs 1.4x TC Sharpened by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

Screenshots can be downloaded here

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Looks great. I’ve got the 1.4x on order to try with the 600mm f/4 GM. I’ll report back when it’s here

 

[Raymond Lin]

I have just decided to head back to this spot next week...

Now do I bring my 70-200 again, for this photo? Perhaps this time I'll leave the tripod at home though.

 

[snerkler]

Looks like the 50mm f1.4 GM has hit the shops so hopefully we’ll start seeing lots more image samples.

 

[theghostie]

Not sure how well this will show on here as TP tends to soften images but here goes.

100-400mm left vs 100-400mm with 1.4TC right

100-400mm vs 100-400mm 1.4tc by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

1:1 crops of the above images

100-400mm vs 100-400mm 1.4tc 100% crop by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

100-400mm enlarged 1.4x in gigapixel left vs 100-400mm with 1.4x TC right

Gigapixel vs 1.4x TC by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

100-400mm enlarged 1.4x in gigapixel left vs 100-400mm with 1.4x TC sharpened with topaz sharpen right

Gigapixel vs 1.4x TC Sharpened by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

Screenshots can be downloaded here

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Looks good - might just spring for this

 

[imattersuk]

I have just decided to head back to this spot next week...

Now do I bring my 70-200 again, for this photo? Perhaps this time I'll leave the tripod at home though.

Yes

 

[snerkler]

Well I've just had an amazing massive unexpected surprise, my wife is wanting to buy me a used/grey A1 for my joint Wedding Anniversary and Birthday present, to say I'm shocked is an understatement

I'm thinking used like new so that I'm guaranteed to have it for my kingfisher experience next week. My question is will I be OK using my 280mb/s read 250mb/s write SD cards? I'm not someone that fills the buffer and therefore am not concerned how quickly it clears. Also, transfer speed to my computer is just fine for me using the SD cards.

 

[nandbytes]

Well I've just had an amazing massive unexpected surprise, my wife is wanting to buy me a used/grey A1 for my joint Wedding Anniversary and Birthday present, to say I'm shocked is an understatement

I'm thinking used like new so that I'm guaranteed to have it for my kingfisher experience next week. My question is will I be OK using my 280mb/s read 250mb/s write SD cards? I'm not someone that fills the buffer and therefore am not concerned how quickly it clears. Also, transfer speed to my computer is just fine for me using the SD cards.

Congrats
I kinda briefly entertained the idea of getting this one but I decided against it. may be its of some help to you.

Second hand cameras, camera part exchange, digital cameras UK, used cameras, photographic shops, England

The London Camera Exchange supplies second hand cameras, new cameras, digital cameras and other camera equipment and provides a camera part exchange in photographic shops all over England, UK.

www.lcegroup.co.uk

If you ask nicely they may knock off another £50-100

 

[snerkler]

Congrats
I kinda entertained this one but I decided against it. may be its of some help to you.

Second hand cameras, camera part exchange, digital cameras UK, used cameras, photographic shops, England

The London Camera Exchange supplies second hand cameras, new cameras, digital cameras and other camera equipment and provides a camera part exchange in photographic shops all over England, UK.

www.lcegroup.co.uk

If you ask nicely they may knock off another £50-100

Thanks I saw that one but I'd like as new

 

[nandbytes]

Thanks I saw that one but I'd like as new

fair enough, there is another at LCE for £4.8K with only 9 shutter count and 5 stars rating.
I'd personally take the £400 saving but that's just me

 

[snerkler]

fair enough, there is another at LCE for £4.8K with only 9 shutter count and 5 stars rating.
I'd personally take the £400 saving but that's just me

I'm fussy like that Panamoz have offered £4680 but can't guarantee delivery by next Tuesday.

 

[nandbytes]

I'm fussy like that Panamoz have offered £4680 but can't guarantee delivery by next Tuesday.

I think you might just get it but you'll have to order today itself I think.
They normally reach within 4-5 days.
But I have had 2-3 days delay before.

Up to you and your risk appetite I guess.
Personally I'd try to haggle down the LCE one to £4650-4700. For such an expensive item I imagine they'd entertain a small discount.

Of course you only get 6 months warranty versus the 3 years of panamoz. I normally have insurance anyway so I'm not too fussed about that myself.

Given how much you are going to be spending I'd also suggest you consider Z9+400mm f4.5 especially if you don't mind large bodies.

 

[snerkler]

I think you might just get it but you'll have to order today itself I think.
They normally reach within 4-5 days.
But I have had 2-3 days delay before.

Up to you and your risk appetite I guess.
Personally I'd try to haggle down the LCE one to £4650-4700. For such an expensive item I imagine they'd entertain a small discount.

Of course you only get 6 months warranty versus the 3 years of panamoz. I normally have insurance anyway so I'm not too fussed about that myself.

I do like new, but it is that risk of delay and I think I'd kick myself if I didn't have it for next week. As we know like new used should be indistinguishable from new but seldom is.

 

[Mike.P]

Personally I would take the chance of Panamoz getting it to you in time and if not use the A9 which is more than capable for Kingfishers.

You can always pay for another Kingfisher day with the A1 later which would probably be preferable to buying a used camera at a new price.

 

[snerkler]

Personally I would take the chance of Panamoz getting it to you in time and if not use the A9 which is more than capable for Kingfishers.

You can always pay for another Kingfisher day with the A1 later which would probably be preferable to buying a used camera at a new price.

I think the kingfisher will be a one off tbh. It’s not that the A9 II isn’t capable, it clearly is, it’s more the extra resolution will be nice for cropping.

 

[snerkler]

LCE will do a mint one at £4700 delivery by tomorrow vs £4650 now from Panamoz but missed today's shipping so will have to get sent tomorrow, decisions decisions

Edit: My wife has spoken, she’d prefer me to have new

 

[Mike.P]

LCE will do a mint one at £4700 delivery by tomorrow vs £4650 now from Panamoz but missed today's shipping so will have to get sent tomorrow, decisions decisions

Must admit I have toyed with the idea of getting one from Panamoz but I'm waiting to see what Nikon do as their long lens selection is better (for me anyway)

 

[snerkler]

Must admit I have toyed with the idea of getting one from Panamoz but I'm waiting to see what Nikon do as their long lens selection is better (for me anyway)

Just updated my post, have ordered on now I’m happier with the Sony lens lineup on the whole

 

[nandbytes]

As we know like new used should be indistinguishable from new but seldom is.

Personally never had a issue with LCE, if it's not as described they'll arrange for a pick up too.
Of course you don't have the time to mess around returning etc.

Just updated my post, have ordered on now I’m happier with the Sony lens lineup on the whole

I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you

 

[snerkler]

Personally never had a issue with LCE, if it's not as described they'll arrange for a pick up too.
Of course you don't have the time to mess around returning etc.



I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you

I’ve never had an issue with LCE to be fair

 

[nog]

I ordered from Panamoz last Friday and delivered this morning with UPS, that’s with tracking showing nothing happening over the weekend

 

[snerkler]

I ordered from Panamoz last Friday and delivered this morning with UPS, that’s with tracking showing nothing happening over the weekend

Wow that's quick

 

[trevorbray]

Wow that's quick

My last shop at Panamoz. Ordered on Thursday. Delivery Was the next Monday

 

[snerkler]

My last shop at Panamoz. Ordered on Thursday. Delivery Was the next Monday

Fingers crossed then, ordered today, shipped tomorrow, hopefully arrive by Tuesday ready for Wednesday's shoot

 

[trevorbray]

Fingers crossed then, ordered today, shipped tomorrow, hopefully arrive by Tuesday ready for Wednesday's shoot

Nice one Toby. Congratulations and fingers crossed.

 

[snerkler]

Nice one Toby. Congratulations and fingers crossed.

Thanks I'm one very happy chappy, completely unexpected.

 

[snerkler]

Will I be OK using my 280mb/s read 250mb/s write SD cards? I'm not someone that fills the buffer and therefore am not concerned how quickly it clears. Also, transfer speed to my computer is just fine for me using the SD cards.

So back to this question, I assume I'm going to be OK with SD cards for my needs? CFexpress are silly expensive

 

[trevorbray]

Thanks I'm one very happy chappy, completely unexpected.

Flog the A9ii for 50GM f1.2…you know you wanna..

 

[snerkler]

Flog the A9ii for 50GM f1.2…you know you wanna..

Stop it you bad man

Always liked the idea of two bodies to save having to swap lenses around all the time I daren't invest in anything else for a while now, very grateful for my latest addition

 

[Mr Perceptive]

Always liked the idea of two bodies to save having to swap lenses around all the time I daren't invest in anything else for a while now, very grateful for my latest addition

Says a man who often comments about bag weight

Nice one with the A1, its always nice when the other half encourages you in the pursuit of your interests!

Please remember though that Panamoz will probably ship @trevorbray 's orders quickly. New piece of gear in, better get one packaged up and ready for Trevor, we'll be ready then when he clicks the button

 

[snerkler]

Says a man who often comments about bag weight

Nice one with the A1, its always nice when the other half encourages you in the pursuit of your interests!

Please remember though that Panamoz will probably ship @trevorbray 's orders quickly. New piece of gear in, better get one packaged up and ready for Trevor, we'll be ready then when he clicks the button

When I’m doing motorsports I’ve usually got my 100-400mm, 70-200mm, 50mm, filters, lunch and spare batteries, in these situations I just have to bear the weight and know that I’m going to suffer for a few days Normal everyday shooting and travel I usually just have one lens and that’s when weight saving is a priority

 

[Mr Perceptive]

When I’m doing motorsports I’ve usually got my 100-400mm, 70-200mm, 50mm, filters, lunch and spare batteries

You've just added a second body to that!! I know what its like, I've run multiple bodies in the past, but last year I decided to really slim my kit down. I don't miss that second body, it was never really used enough to justify keeping it. So now I just have main kit and lightweight kit. When taking the main kit out, I usually reduce the number of lenses (from my huge selection of 4!) in order to further reduce the bag weight.

* bit in bold italics is the important bit - as I suspect that when you get the A1, the majority of your shots will be with the A1 and that the A9ii will barely get a look in. Its different if you are shooting professionally, but once you are used to the resolution increase, you'll want every shot at the higher resolution. My 2p, sell the A9ii and upgrade some glass.

 

[snerkler]

You've just added a second body to that!! I know what its like, I've run multiple bodies in the past, but last year I decided to really slim my kit down. I don't miss that second body, it was never really used enough to justify keeping it. So now I just have main kit and lightweight kit. When taking the main kit out, I usually reduce the number of lenses (from my huge selection of 4!) in order to further reduce the bag weight.

* bit in bold italics is the important bit - as I suspect that when you get the A1, the majority of your shots will be with the A1 and that the A9ii will barely get a look in. Its different if you are shooting professionally, but once you are used to the resolution increase, you'll want every shot at the higher resolution. My 2p, sell the A9ii and upgrade some glass.

You could well be right and I've had similar thoughts as well, but I'm going to wait and see. It is only a handful of times/year that I'd want to run two bodies, time will tell if keeping two will be worth it or not. I'm on the fence, leaning to the side that two bodies will be unjustified but I need to find out for myself Plus I'm not changing anything for a while, I will let the dust settle on the new purchase first

The other thing is I'd only get £1500 or so for the A9 II and it's too good to let it go for that price imo.

 

[Mr Perceptive]

The other thing is I'd only get £1500 or so for the A9 II and it's too good to let it go for that price imo.

And in a years time..................

 

[snerkler]

And in a years time..................

I’ll moan that I should have sold it earlier

 

[LeeRatters]

You could well be right and I've had similar thoughts as well, but I'm going to wait and see. It is only a handful of times/year that I'd want to run two bodies, time will tell if keeping two will be worth it or not. I'm on the fence, leaning to the side that two bodies will be unjustified but I need to find out for myself Plus I'm not changing anything for a while, I will let the dust settle on the new purchase first

The other thing is I'd only get £1500 or so for the A9 II and it's too good to let it go for that price imo.

I've not gone out and used two bodies yet

I do need to decide about night stuff though.

Timelapse would be better on the Riii with internal timer and silent shutter. But then that would leave the A7 for my image shooting.....

 

[NewBeetle]

You could well be right and I've had similar thoughts as well, but I'm going to wait and see. It is only a handful of times/year that I'd want to run two bodies, time will tell if keeping two will be worth it or not. I'm on the fence, leaning to the side that two bodies will be unjustified but I need to find out for myself Plus I'm not changing anything for a while, I will let the dust settle on the new purchase first

The other thing is I'd only get £1500 or so for the A9 II and it's too good to let it go for that price imo.

£1501 here Toby

 

[trevorbray]

Please remember though that Panamoz will probably ship @trevorbray 's orders quickly. New piece of gear in, better get one packaged up and ready for Trevor, we'll be ready then when he clicks the button

Oi !! Who me ???

 

[snerkler]

Didn't see this coming

Shock: DPReview.com to close! | sonyalpharumors

This is an incredible sad news: Dear readers, After nearly 25 years of operation, DPReview will be closing in the near future. This difficult decision is part of the annual operating plan review that our parent company shared earlier this year. The site will remain active until April 10, and the...

www.sonyalpharumors.com

Edit: just received this